Tag Archives: United States men’s national soccer team

This is the final that everyone expected, and virtually everyone wanted to see. While the road to the Rose Bowl hasn’t been simple for either team (see the US loss to Panama in the group stage, or Mexico’s narrow extra-time victory over Honduras in the semifinal); was their really any doubt that the continent’s two juggernauts would be vying for the regional title? Since the Gold Cup began in 1991, either the US (4 wins, 3 runner-up finishes) or Mexico (5 wins, 1 runner-up) has won all but one of the titles – Canada won in 2000.

With the region’s two premier teams playing for the title, the game has gotten a lot of attention in the national media. This morning, ESPN had Alexi Lalas on SportsCenter discussing the match. The Worldwide Leader couldn’t resist mentioning that the US has lost just once to Mexico on US soil since 2000, though that one loss was a 5-0 drilling in the 2009 Gold Cup final, though this blog post by Scott French of ESPN Los Angeles should make some USMNT fans feel better. According to French, the US has outscored El Tri 21-8 in matches outside of Estadio Azteca since 2000. Throw the 5-0 beating out, and the difference jumps to 21-3 in 12 matches!

Player/Position Comparison:

Tim Howard gives the USMNT the edge in goal.

Goalkeeper – The easiest comparison of the bunch. Tim Howard, as mentioned before is one of the best in the world. He’s at the top of his game and a true difference maker. Take a look at this save (about 2o seconds into the video) against Jamaica to see what I’m talking about. Alfredo Talavera, however, has Guillermo Ochoa and his failed doping test to thank for his spot in the starting XI. Advantage: USMNT

Defense – Bob Bradley seems to have found his starting back 4 with Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra and Eric Lichaj all playing well in the past 3 games. Lichaj and Cherundolo have been dangerous moving forward, though they will have to defend much more against Mexico than they have in previous matches. The US back line has not conceded a goal since the loss to Panama but will certainly be tested against Mexico. El Tri’s back 4 of Rafa Marquez, Héctor Moreno, Efrain Juarez and Carlos Salcido have conceded just 2 goals the entire tournament, though they have yet to be truly tested. Advantage: Push

Midfield – Mexico plays with a classic four man midfield. Two central midfielders (Gerardo Torrado and Israel Castro) and two wingers (Andres Guardado and Pablo Barrera. Barrera has played well in the Gold Cup, scoring 1 goal and assisting on 3 others. Guardado may not start due to an ankle injury. If Guardado can’t go, Giovani Dos Santos would likely slot into his spot. Expect Bob Bradley to start a five man midfield, as this formation has worked in the last two games. While Landon Donovan hasn’t started the last two games, he HAS to be on the field. He’s a big game player for the US and has played well against Mexico in the past. Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey and Alejandro Bedoya should keep their spots in the lineup. Dempsey has been extremely good, and Bedoya has transferred his fine form with Örebro to the USMNT. Though the US has played well, Mexico is better from a technical standpoint. (slight) Advantage: Mexico

Chicharito has been on fire this year. Will the USMNT be able to keep him of the scoresheet?

Forward – Though the goalkeeper comparison is one-sided, this is the area of the field where the difference between the two teams is most apparent. Javier Hernandez has been a revelation this season. Chicharito scored 20 goals for Manchester United in 45 appearances and has netted another 10 goals in 8 appearances for El Tri. Seven of those goals have come in the Gold Cup. With Jozy Altidore out with a hamstring injury, the US will likely start 18-year-old Juan Agudelo up top. Agudelo has shown flashes, but he’s no match for Hernandez. Advantage: Mexico

Prediction – While Mexico holds the advantage from an individual talent perspective, the US is greater than the sum of its parts. In addition to the team mentality that permeates the USMNT camp, the US team believes it can beat Mexico. No matter how partisan the crowd, and in Southern California it will likely be extremely pro-Mexico, the USMNT has proven time and again that it has the mentality necessary to defeat its southern rivals. Score: USMNT 2 – Mexico 1.

Thanks to this absolute laser by Jozy Altidore, the US beat Guadeloupe to advance to the knockout round of the 2011 Gold Cup. Despite this victory, the US finished second in their group and drew Jamaica in the quarterfinals. On current form, this could be an extremely tough game for the Yanks. The Reggae Boyz have been one of the most impressive sides in the tournament, while the Yanks have underperformed.

Despite the uninspired performance of the USMNT, ESPN’s Five Aside Blog had this to say about the upcoming match:

The United States failed to win its group for the first time in Gold Cup history. As Group C runner-up, the United States faces Group B winner Jamaica, the only team other than Mexico to win all of its group games. USA has reached the semis in nine of the 10 previous tournaments, while Jamaica hasn’t reached the semifinals since 1998. Despite tournament form, SPI rates USA an 83.9 percent favorite to advance and extend its unbeaten (9-0-8) record against the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica has lost all four of its Gold Cup elimination games.1

Clearly, the SPI algorithm thinks the US will be able to overcome its malaise and put in the kind of performance American fans expect.

Player/Position Comparison:

Goalkeeper – Tim Howard has been stellar for years and cannot be blamed for the loss to Panama. He is one of the best keepers in England and arguably the world. The US is lucky to have him guarding their goal. Donovan Ricketts has been a rock in goal during the tournament, leading a defense that has yet to concede. He’s also posted 6 clean sheets for the L.A. Galaxy this season. Despite this good form, this comparison is simple. One of the best in the MLS vs. one of the best in the EPL. Advantage: USMNT

Defense – The Jamaican defense has yet to concede a goal, though part of that is probably thanks to the impotent competition they faced in the group stage. Jamaica’s defense should not be discounted as three of the four starters play in MLS and they have paired well together all tournament. Shavar Thomas, Jermaine Taylor, Dicoy Williams and Eric Vernan have all played well. The US has struggled to find the right combination to start along the back. Tim Ream looked out of his depth playing against Panama and Oguchi Onyewu is still lacking in form and hasn’t made an appearance. Not without their struggles against Guadeloupe, expect the back four of Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra and Eric Lichaj to be in the Starting XI on Sunday. On paper it would seem the US, with defenders from the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Premier League and the Danish League, has a better defense, but Jamaica is hot and is playing well as a unit. Advantage: Push

While Bob Bradley stubbornly continues to deploy Clint Dempsey in the midfield, he's the USMNT's best hope at forward.

Midfield – Jamaica’s midfield has been on fire during the tournament. Demar Phillips, who plays his club soccer with Ålesund in Norway, has scored three goals in three games. Dane Richards has been a terror on the wing. Jason Morrison and Rodolph Austin, both of the Norwegian Tippeligaen have also put in solid efforts. The US midfield should be its strength. With Landon Donovan on the left and Michael Bradley in the center the Yanks have two midfielders who have proven they can play at the top club level. Who lines up on the right and in the center next to Bradley is a different story. Jermaine Jones has not played his best during the Gold Cup, though Bob Bradley seems to be enamored with the former German under-20 international. Clint Dempsey has lined up on the right, but as stated in a previous post, his best position for the USMNT may be up top. Alejandro Bedoya has provided a spark off the bench and Sascha Kljestan has reignited his international career with a good showing. Again, the US has a better midfield on paper, but the Reggae Boyz have been on fire this tournament. Advantage: USMNT

Forwards – Another area where the USMNT has better players on paper – if you include Clint Dempsey. As with players across the rest of the pitch, the Jamaican forwards have had a great tournament. Led by San Jose Earthquakes striker, Ryan Johnson, the Jamaican front line has both scored goals and set up Jamaica’s lethal wingers. Providing support for Johnson are Keammar Daley who plies his trade in the Jamaican Premier League and Luton Shelton of Norwegian side Vålerenga IF. Both have scored and assisted in Jamaica’s group games. On the opposite side of the pitch, Jozy Altidore has looked great this tournament. While still prone to lapses in concentration, he has provided 2 of the US’s 4 goals and assisted on another. His wonder strike against Guadeloupe should have him feeling confident. The rest of the US forward contingent has been less than stellar. Chris Wondolowski has been wasteful in front of goal (see this video) and Juan Agudelo is still learning. With Bob Bradley seemingly unable to imagine Clint Dempsey as a forward, the US could be in trouble. Advantage: Jamaica

Coaching Staff – Let’s not even go there…

On paper, the US has better players than Jamaica. More US players play in the top leagues around the world than the current Jamaican squad. On form, the Jamaican squad is playing better than the USMNT, though they were in the easiest of the three groups. Is Jamaica’s form entirely due to its easy group, or are they a team to be reckoned with? The USMNT, its fans and the rest of CONCACAF will know the answer on Sunday afternoon.

Prediction – Jamaica will make it tough, but I expect the real US team to show up for this game. USMNT 2 – Jamaica 1.

While willing to give Bob Bradley the benefit of the doubt, the USMNT cannot continue to lose matches to inferior sides. (Image via Wikipedia)

I could start this post, as I am sure many have started (and will start) with a call to have Bob Bradley removed from his position at the helm of the United States Men’s National Team. I’m not going to do that. Every time the United States suffers a defeat, whether to a CONCACAF minnow or a European power, US soccer fans call for his dismissal. Do I think Bradley has shortcomings as a coach? Yes. Do I think the USSF should fire him immediately? No. Do I think the US needs to re-evaluate its coaching staff after the Gold Cup? Yes. As Brent Latham at The USA 10 Kit wrote:

Coach Bob Bradley, 3.5 – Did what he could with limited resources, but then again, it’s a hole he got himself into. Who on that bench was going to really help him? At some point, you really do have to ask if he’s capable of getting the best out of the resources at his disposal. That moment is now sooner rather than later.

While I am not calling for his ouster, it does seem curious that Bradley continually ignores the fact that his best forward is playing in the midfield. Clint Dempsey has shown time and again, both with the USMNT and at Fulham, that he is best when he’s near the goal. He has the strength, vision and creativity to pull off some shots that most of the forwards in the US pool would never dream about. His record in front of goal the last several seasons and especially this season (12 goals, 3 assists) show that Deuce needs to play up top. If Dempsey playing at forward would allow Bradley to keep Juan Agudelo on the bench where he could be used as a sub late in the game – something that has worked well for the US since Agudelo’s introduction to the senior team (obviously Chris Wondolowski is not the answer, if you don’t believe me, watch this video – virtually any professional soccer player should have buried that shot!).

Despite the loss to Panama, the US could still raise this trophy on June 25 in the Rose Bowl.

Beyond raising questions about the direction of the USMNT, what does this loss mean for the Yanks’ more immediate future in this tournament? With the loss, the US sits in 2nd place in group C behind Panama, who has collected 6 points from their two matches. The US plays Guadeloupe in their final group game. Guadeloupe has shown in past Gold Cup editions that they have some quality (finishing 4th in 2007 and 6th in 2009), and gave both Panama and Canada scares this year. Despite playing both Canada and Panama tough, this is a team the Yanks should beat. Winning assures the US of a spot in the quarterfinal. Where they will finish in the group gets more complicated.

Possible Outcomes:

If the US wins and Canada defeats Panama by fewer than 4 goals, the US would finish first

Quarterfinal opponent – One of the two third places teams to advance – Guatemala (as of this post)

A US win and any other outcome from the Canada-Panama game would see the US finish 2nd in the group.

Quarterfinal opponent – The winner of Group B (either Jamaica of Honduras).

A draw with Guadeloupe would see the Yanks finish 2nd if Canada loses to/draws with Panama

Quarterfinal opponent – The winner of Group B (either Jamaica of Honduras)

The US could also finish 2nd despite a loss, as long as they lose to Guadeloupe by only 1 goal and Panama defeats Canada

Quarterfinal opponent – The winner of Group B (either Jamaica of Honduras)

The US would finish 3rd in group if they lose to Guadeloupe by 2 or 3 goals and Panama defeats Canada. This isn’t a death sentence, as they could still qualify for the quarters on points if either El Salvador – Cuba in Group A or Guatemala – Grenada in Group B end in a draw.

Quarterfinal opponent – As it stands now, Mexico. This is the WORST possible scenario; thankfully, it is also the most unlikely.

The US plays Guadeloupe at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City on Tuesday night at 9pm. Those interested in watching the match can catch the action on Fox Soccer Channel, or should check out their local chapter of The American Outlaws.